Demountable pier structure



Se t. 28, 1965 R. J. ARMBRUST DEMOUNTABLE PIER STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Aug. 9, 1960 no ivy MW mw a m 3 m W RN? U h 0 i M0 w mm mm B RMm RP. Aw M U 0 M E D Sept. 28, 165

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 19

INVENTOR.

p 1965 R. J. ARMBRUST 3,Z@8,227

DEMOUNTABLE PIER STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 9, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.rzw

United States Patent 3,208,227 DEMOUNTABLE PIER STRUCTURE Roy J.Armbrust, 28501 Gaklawn, Glen Ellyn, Ill. Filed Aug. 9, 1960, Ser. No.48,436 Claims. (CI. 61-48) This invention relates to a demountable pierstructure and more particularly to a pier structure comprised of aplurality of pier sections resting upon a unique tubular H-frame supportwhich together permit a ready assembly or disassembly of the parts tofacilitate the ready erection and/or storage of the parts upondisassembly.

This invention consists of a pier structure comprising pier decksections which are supported in V-shaped brackets secured to the H-framesupports, in a manner, that each such support commonly supports one endof each pair of abutting pier deck sections. The tubular H-frame supportmember in turn rests upon posts bearing upon the ground beneath thewater. The posts and H-frame legs are locked together by a latcharrangement which permits the leveling of the pier deck sections, bymechanical manipulation which occurs from the deck section through theuse of a jacking arrangement which is made to lit the tubular H-frameleg and which rests upon the associated post and relieves the weightupon the latch member to permit the leveling of the deck section, whilethe leveler is standing thereupon.

In the past a pier of this type generally required the party doing theerecting of the pier to go into the water to level the pier decksections, through the use of bolt or set screw arrangements which had tobe readjusted or realigned. Also in the past piers of this general typewere assembled with the use of bolts, screws or the like requiring theextensive use of tools in the assembly or disassembly thereof. Thepresent invention does away with the use of bolts in the assembly of thepier on location, thereby minimizing the use of tools needed therefor,so that even the most inexperienced mechanics can readily assemble thevarious parts to erect the pier.

Due to the ready assembly and disassembly features of the presentinvention, the pier can be disassembled at the end of the boating andswimming season and stored so that it is not exposed to the elementswhich ordinarily inflict damage upon a permanent type pier structure,

thereby prolonging the life of the pier assembly. The

pier sections are assembled in abutting relationship, with each pair ofabutting pier deck sections resting upon an H-frame support in a commonmanner.

The invention will now be described in connection with the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the demountable pier structureembodying the present invention with three deck sections being shown inassembly,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pier shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an end view taken at one of the tubular H- frame supportmembers showing not only the pier structure, but also a jacking devicein place ready for the leveling operation,

FIG. 4 is a section taken through one of the tubular H-frame legs whichis partly broken away for convenience of the drawing, showing in detailthe telescoping of the H-frame legs around a post and showing the latchmechanism in detail and also a bearing plate for a footing and aV-bracket with one end of a pier deck section resting thereon,

FIG. 5 is a side view taken from the inside of an H- frame sectionshowing one leg thereof with a V-bracket supporting two abutting ends ofpier deck sections in assembly and showing a side View of the latchingmechanism secured to the H-frame leg and locking it relative to the posttelescoped therein,

3,2322? Patented Sept. 28, 1965 FIG. 6 is a latch plate showndisassembled from the latching mechanism.

In FIG. 1, the demountable pier structure 10 is shown with the shoreframe 11 being embedded. in a cement base 12. The pier deck sections 13are shown in assembly with one end resting upon the shore frame 11 andthe other ends supported by H-frame supports 14. The H-frame supports inturn rest upon posts 15 which are telescoped into the legs of thetubular HI-frames from below. The latching mechanisms 16 are shown atthe water line locking the H-frame supports and the posts in a fixedrelationship. The posts 15 are seen resting upon hearing plates 17 whichsurround the lower extremity of each post and which are held thereon bypins 18. The bearing plates rest upon the ground beneath the watersupporting the pier structure above. Also shown are the side railscomprised of rail posts 19 which are inserted into the top of thetubular I-I-frame support members 14, with various rail posts beinglinked together as by the chain 21, or the like. The catwalk sections 22which are optional features with the pier, are shown supported bybrackets extending from the tubular H-frame supports.

In the assembly shown the demountable pier structure is seen with pierdeck sections 13 resting upon the H- frame supports 14, with the weightof the pier deck being transmitted to the posts 15 which in turn bearupon the bearing plates 17 bearing on the ground. This assembly isreadily fitted together by inserting the mating elements together.

The deck sections 13 are better shown in FIG. 2 which shows each decksection comprised of three planks in side-by-side relationship. Thecatwalk 22 is here seen as a single plank deck. More details of the pierdeck assembly are shown in FIG. 3 the tubular H-frame support 14 isbeing shown telescoped upon the posts 15 (broken lines) and the pierdeck section 13 shown bolted to flanged member 23 which in turn isinserted into and supported by the V-shaped brackets 24 extendinglaterally from the H-frame leg. The rail posts 19 are inserted into theupper portion of the. legs of the tubular H-frarne support 14, while ajack mechanism 25 is shown inserted into the upper portion of theopposite leg of the tubular H-frame support 14.

The jack mechanism 25 consists of a bar 26 which is shown inserted intothe upper portion of the leg of the tubular H-frame support 14 andresting upon the post 15, and a handle 27 for exerting an upward forceupon the pier deck section 13 through the means of the chain linkage 28and associated hooks 29 and 31. When an upward force is exerted upon thehandle 27, it in turn causes a downward force to be exerted upon the bar26 which force is transmitted to the post 15 and simultaneouslytherewith the upward force on handle 27 causes the chain linkages 28 inturn to exert an upward force upon the pier deck section 13. The opposedactions of these two forces relieve the weight upon the latch mechanism16, which is and acts as a one-way clutch, causing the latch plate 32 torelease its grip upon the post 15 and permitting the H-frame member 14to be elevated thereon. Once a downward weight is again exerted upon thedeck 13 the downward force causes the latch plate 32 of the one-wayclutch 16 to once again grip the post 15 thereby automatically lockingthe H-frame support at a new elevation. If it is desired to lower thelevel of a pier deck section, the one-way clutch means 16 may bereleased by tapping of the latch plate 32 of the latch mechanism 16 witha pole or rod or other means as shown in broken lines at 33 downwardly,this downward force causing the latch plate 32 to slip along the post 15thereby lowering the level of the H-frame support 14-, with a consequentlowering of a deck section 13.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a V-shaped bracket 24 supporting a portionof a deck section 13, through the flange member 23 to which the decksection is bolted by bolts 34. The V-shaped bracket 24 is shown weldedto the H-frame support by weld 35 and extending laterally therefrom.

The clutch mechanism 16 is also shown enlarged in section in FIG. 4 withthe latch plate 32 shown in looking position gripping the post 115. Theflange portion as of the clutch mechanism is shown secured to theH-frame support 14 by weld. The nut and bolt assembly 37 shown throughthe apertures in the flange members 36 and the latch plate 32 holds themembers in assembly. Flange member 36 also supports a helical spring 38which with the nut and bolt arrangement 37 is seen biased into anoblique position because of the downward force exerted by weight uponthe deck causing the plate 32 to be rotated into a position wherein itbites into the post 15 and rotates the nut and bolt assembly. Thiscauses a locking of the post and the H-frame support 14 in a fixedrelationship.

A portion of a rail post 19 is shown inserted into the uppermost openingof the tubular H-frame support 14, while a base plate 17 is shownsurrounding the lower extremity of a post 15 the two being held inassembly by pins 18.

In FIG. 5, the V-shaped bracket extending laterally from the H-framesupport 14 is more clearly shown with flange members 23 shown bolted bybolts 34 to the deck 13 inserted into the V-shaped bracket and securedtherein by the pin 39. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the latch plate 32showing the aperture 41 which surrounds the post 15 and the aperture 42through which the bolt assembly 37 is inserted.

The novel pier structure of the present invention is assembled byplacing the shore frame 11 in a vertical position at a desired shorelocation. One end of a pier deck section 13 is inserted into theV-shaped brackets of the shore frame, the other end of the pier decksection being supported by a first I-I-frame support which is placed outin the water at an appropriate distance from the shore. The subsequentsections are supported by other H-frame supports as necessary until thedesired pier has been completed. The necessary leveling operations arethen conducted from upon the pier itself.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings it is seen that a very flexible assembly unit which is simplyerected and just as simply disassembled, is provided. This pier unit isparticularly characterized by the novel telescoping feature of the postsand H-frame members which permit the leveling of the pier sections bymanipulation of a jack assembly from a position upon the pier deckitself thus avoiding any need for entry into the water by one who isleveling the various sections. The pier assembly herein described isalso characterized by its simplicity of construction in that no bolts orsetscrews or other means such as these are required in the erectionprocess and therefore any assembly and disassembly of the pier can beaccomplished with a minimum number of tools by the most inexperienced ofmechanics. This novel structure provides an assembly which is portableand so free to be stored when not in use, so that the pier is notsubjected to damage such as a permanent type of installation must endurefrom the elements during the winter months.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the preferredembodiment herein described may be changed and modified withoutdeparting from. the spirit of the invention, further that the disclosedembodiment is illustrative only, and that the invention is not intendedto be limited thereto, so that all embodiments coming within the scopeof the following claims are deemed to have been intended.

What I claim is:

1. In a pier structure, a supporting assembly comprising a rigid framehaving spaced tubular vertical legs of substantial length, a postslidably arranged within each tubular leg and extending downwardlytherefrom, and one-way releasable clutch means affixed to the lowerextremity of each said leg and engaging the post therein for normallygripping said post and preventing downward movement of said leg uponsaid post while permitting upward movement of said leg along said post,said clutch means providing the means of support of each said leg uponthe post extending thereinto whereby the elevation of each said leg ofsaid frame may be independently adjusted with automatic gripping of thesupporting posts at a desired location, said clutch means comprising aflange extending laterally from the frame leg, a latch plate having anaperture therein through which the post passes with appreciableclearance, fastening means connecting one side of said plate to saidflange for limited pivotal movement, and spring biasing means urgingsaid plate obliquely upwardly toward gripping engagement with said post.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the flanges of theclutch means are disposed on the inner sides of the leg with respect tothe frame whereby the free sides of the latch plates are exposed on theoutside of the frame and thus accessible from above for release by theapplication of a downward force on said free sides of said plates.

3. In a pier structure, a deck section, a supporting assembly for saiddeck section comprising a rigid frame having spaced tubular verticallegs of substantial length, a post slidably arranged within each tubularleg and extending downwardly therefrom, and one-way releasable clutchmeans affixed to the lower extremity of each said leg and engaging thepost therein for normally gripping said post and preventing downwardmovement of said leg upon said post while permitting upward movement ofsaid leg along said post, said clutch means providing the means ofsupport of each said leg upon the post extending thereinto whereby theelevation of each said leg of said frame may be independently adjustedwith automatic gripping of the supporting posts at a desired location,said deck section having a width which is less than the distance betweenthe legs of the frame, said posts terminating at their tops within saidtubular legs below the tops thereof.

4. In a pier structure, a deck section, a supporting assembly for saiddeck section comprising a rigid frame having spaced tubular verticallegs of substantial length, a post slidably arranged within each tubularleg and extending downwardly therefrom, and one-way releasable clutchmeans affixed to the lower extremity of each said leg and engaging thepost therein for normally gripping said post and preventing downwardmovement of said leg upon said post while permitting upward movement ofsaid leg along said post, said clutch means providing the means ofsupport of each said leg upon the post extending thereinto whereby theelevation of each said leg of said frame may be independently adjustedwith automatic gripping of the supporting posts at a desired location,said deck section having a width which is less than the distance betweenthe legs of said frame, said posts terminating at their tops within saidtubular legs below the tops thereof, and additional posts extending downinto and supported by the top portions of said legs of said frame andextending above the level of said deck section.

5. In a pier structure, a plurality of abutting deck sections, atsupporting assembly for supporting said deck sections at each butt jointcomprising a rigid frame having spaced tubular vertical legs ofsubstantial length, a post slidably arranged within each tubular leg andextending downwardly therefrom, andone-way releasable clutch meansaflixed to the lower extremity of each said leg and engaging the posttherein for normally gripping said post and preventing downward movementof said leg upon said post while permitting upward movement of said legalong said post, said clutch means providing the means of support ofeach said leg upon the post extending thereinto whereby the elevation ofeach said leg of said frame may be independently adjusted with automaticgripping of the supporting posts at a desired location, said decksections having widths less than the distance between the legs of saidframe, V brackets fixed to the inner sides of the legs of each frame atthe tops thereof, said deck sections including angle iron membersextending across the abutting ends of said sections with a flangeextending downwardly, the flanges of the angle iron members of abutingsections resting in and supported by said V brackets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,592,626 4/52Wanless 6l48 2,618,124 11/52 Holsten 6l48 6 Melges 61-48 Templeton6146.5 Petterson 256-25 De Long et al 61-46.5 Karst 61-48 Johnson254-107 Cahill et al. 61-48 X Fentiman 61-48 FOREIGN PATENTS Canada.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, JACOB SHAPJIRO, EARL J.

WITMER, Examiners.

1. IN A PIER STRUCTURE, A SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A RIGID FRAMEHAVING SPACED TUBULAR VERTICAL LEGS OF SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH, A POSTSLIDABLY ARRANGED WITHIN EACH TUBULAR LEG AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLYTHEREFROM, AND ONE-WAY RELEASABLE CLUTCH MEANS AFFIXED TO THE LOWEREXTREMITY OF EACH SAID LEG AND ENGAGING THE POST THEREIN FOR NORMALLYGRIPPING SAID POST AND PREVENTING DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID LEG UPONSAID POST WHILE PERMITTING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID LEG ALONG SAID POST,SAID CLUTCH MEANS PROVIDING THE MEANS OF SUPPORT OF EACH SAID LEG UPONTHE POST EXTENDING THEREINTO WHEREBY THE ELEVATION OF EACH SAID LEG OFSAID FRAME MAY BE INDEPENDENTLY ADJUSTED WITH AUTOMATIC GRIPPING OF THESUPPORTING POSTS AT A DESIRED LOCATION, SAID CLUTCH MEANS COMPRISING AFLANGE EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE FRAME LEG, A LATCH PLATE HAVING ANAPERTURE THEREIN THROUGH WHICH THE POST PASSES WITH APPRECIABLECLEARANCE, FASTENING MEANS CONNECTING ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE TO SAIDFLANGE FOR LIMITED PIVOTAL MOVEMENT, AND SPRING BIASING MEANS URGINGSAID PLATE OBLIQUELY UPWARDLY TOWARD GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID POST.